How Four Hospitals Are Inspiring Medicine and Changing Lives

DOWNERS GROVE, IL--(Marketwired - July 16, 2013) - Recognized for giving its patients extraordinary care, Advocate Health Care hospitals have been named among the finest in Chicago and Illinois according to U.S. News & World Report's 2013-2014, Best Hospitals list. The rankings were released today.

The annual rankings, now in their 24th year, recognize hospitals that excel in treating the most challenging patients, U.S. News said.

Christ Medical Center also ranked nationally among the top 50 hospitals in cardiology/heart surgery and geriatrics.

"Our patients and communities deserve the finest care that medicine has to offer," said Jim Skogsbergh, president and chief executive officer of Advocate Health Care. "This recognition is a testament to our physicians and clinical teams who are dedicated to delivering the highest quality of clinical care and health outcomes to the patients we serve."

The four hospitals were recognized for top performance in a number of specialties including:

"A hospital that emerges from our analysis as one of the best has much to be proud of," said Avery Comarow, U.S. News Health Rankings Editor. "Only about 15 percent of hospitals are recognized for their high performance as among their region's best. Just 3 percent of all hospitals earn a national ranking in any specialty."

Advocate Health Care, named among the nation's Top 5 largest health systems based on quality by Truven Analytics, is the largest health system in Illinois and one of the largest health care providers in the Midwest. Advocate operates more than 250 sites of care, including 12 hospitals that encompass 11 acute care hospitals, the state's largest integrated children's network, five Level I trauma centers (the state's highest designation in trauma care), two Level II trauma centers, one of the area's largest home health care companies and one of the region's largest medical groups. Advocate Health Care trains more primary care physicians and residents at its four teaching hospitals than any other health system in the state. As a not-for-profit, mission-based health system affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Church of Christ, Advocate contributed $614 million in charitable care and services to communities across Chicagoland and Central Illinois in 2012.